When it comes to energy drinks, Red Bull is a household name. The company has made a name for themselves over the past several years by promoting and selling their energy drinks. However, Red Bull has a new drink and a new game plan. The popular energy drink company (Red Bull GmbH) has a new product for their paying customers...Red Bull Cola.
What Is Red Bull Cola
Red Bull is marketing the new product as a "strong and natural cola" with all natural ingredients and that "not-too sweet" cola taste. The company says the natural flavoring comes from plant extracts, and the much needed caffeine boost comes from coffee beans. Red Bull Cola is the only cola which contains the kola nut as well as the coca leaf. Customers are always looking to try something new, and Red Bull Cola provides an alternative to the typical energy drink. The Red Bull Cola ingredients are as follows:
- Coca Leaf
- Kola Nut
- Lemon/Lime
- Clove
- Cinnamon
- Cardamom
- Pine
- Corn Mint
- Galangal
- Vanilla
- Ginger
- Mace
- Cocoa
- Liquorice
- Orange
- Mustard Seeds
The drink promises the use of no preservatives, no artificial coloring, and no artificial flavors. However, one "natural" ingredient found in Red Bull Cola is causing quite a stir. German officials say they have uncovered the special ingredient that makes Red Bull Cola pack the mightiest of punches.
German Ban on Red Bull Cola
Even though the product is offered in Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Ireland, Russia and the United States, Germany wants no part of the new drink. Six German states have ordered retailers to ban the beverage after small traces of cocaine were found in the ingredients. According to tested samples,the new cola energy drink has 0.13 micrograms of cocaine...per can. Those numbers are not linked to a serious threat; nevertheless, swift action has been taken by those who are concerned about a possible health risk. Red Bull says the coca leaves are used for flavoring only, and the illegal alkaloid is removed.
Red Bull has yet to speak out and let the public know where the coca leaves are being processed for this new drink, but the product continues to be promoted and distributed in places where energy drink style beverages are sold. However, the story could be “much to do about nothing” because the use of coca leaves for flavoring is a common practice worldwide. In fact, Coca-Cola used coca leaves in their original formula. Right or wrong, Red Bull has a "special recipe" that has certainly garnered some "special attention" across the world.
